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Bedding Problems

22 10:05:39

Question

Eddie
I have a lionhead rabbit who is very fluffy - see pic... I rescued it from work and it is slowly settling in nicely. My problem is that the only thing I can find for it to have as bedding/litter tray that doesn't cause him to have a soggy bum (& therefore can cause sores, etc), is hay. The problem with this is that my cat (who loves the rabbit - & the feeling is mutual)is highly allergic to hay & many other bedding that causes dust. It gives him attacks that lead to very bad asthma attacks. He's on medication for this (the cat), but his problem is so severe, that we still cant use anything (inc. dust extracted hay!). We dont even use aerosols/perfume/chemicals/cigarettes/etc. as it all causes attacks. PLEASE could you suggest something that will be ok for both of them, as currently I am switching between the rabbit being wet, and the cat having attacks! I cant put either of them in other homes, as they are BOTH rescue animals who have taken time to settle down, and both adore each other. I am desperate. Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer
Hi,

well, I'm not saying I have the best answer that can work for you, but maybe this will give you a base idea to start with.

The best litter you can use for rabbits is hardwood wood stove fuel pellets (ie compressed hardwood sawdust pellets).  Absorbs fluid very well.  Can easily see what part needs scooping out and replacing every day.  Safe for bunny.  Inexpensive at $5-6 for a 40 pound bag that should last about 2-3 months for one bunny.  

Keep the hay the bunny needs in a hay basket on one end of the litterpan.  They love to munch while in their box.  It will stay drier and less likely to develop mold problems.

Get a better hay.  Oxbow orchard grass is usually the best you can find.  And you can get a good price break by getting a 50 pound box.  When you are filling your smaller hay bin that you top off his hay in his cage with, shake out the hay from the box to let the smaller and dustier pieces remain in the box.  What you'll be left with are larger pieces and less dust.

You can't eliminate hay as this is THE food rabbits are designed to eat.

You can get a good vacuum that has a good HEPA capability to it.  Vacuum more regularly to keep hay dust down.

Another suggestion is not allow the cat into the rabbits' room where his cage is, but let them be together in a common play area where there is no hay when they are together.  You could give your bunny a small piece of hay cube to nibble on instead (as they generally need to be grazing frequently).  

Final thing, get an air filter for the room the hay/rabbit resides in.  Also clean your hvac return vents and put disposable filter pads on your return vents to capture dust before it gets sucked back down with the return air to be recirculated through the house.